Ireland’s primate calls for renewal in faith and hope

(Jan 03, 2011) The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland on Sunday urged prayers for renewed faith and hope. “At the dawn of this New Year, we should look at the Saviour of the World.” “He has come to protect His people and give them hope,” Card. Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and primate of all Ireland, said in his sermon at a Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. During their plenary assembly in December, Ireland’s bishops, had dedicated January 2nd, the first Sunday of 2011 as a special day of prayer for the renewal of faith and hope, and for the needs of all of Ireland. Cardinal Brady recalled the “great tribulations” experienced by the Church “in the last year”. “We beg the grace to accept such humiliation as an invitation to truth and renewal,” he said exhorting all to look for “new firmness in faith and in doing good”. He expressed gratitude to those who work to support the victims of clergy abuse, helping them trust the Church again. Cardinal Brady also thanked the many good priests who are witnesses “of the Lord’s goodness in humbleness and faithfulness”.